My Day...My Heart....{My Ramblings}

I went to the cleaners today to pick up my hubby's shirts for work.  The woman behind the counter is so very warm when she sees Savvy.  Savvy usually announces as soon as we walk in..."I need Papi's shirts"...the woman behind the counter always starts a conversation with Savvy.

I don't remember how the conversation started today but she mentioned that she had been praying for a child that needed a liver transplant and then her son corrected her.  This certainly got my attention...I asked her what she meant.  She informed me that her son was right...by praying for this child to get a liver she was in fact praying for another child to die.

I lifted Savvy's shirt and showed her Savvy's scar which wraps our Gift (which is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen).  I explained to her that Savvy had received a liver transplant when she was a year old and if she had not then this little girl that she refers to as her "princesa" wouldn't be here today to pick up her Papi's shirts.

She asked about Savvy's current health and then told me that she thought it was sad that I had to pray for a child die to save mine.  I couldn't believe myself...it is always shocking to me when I am confronted with what I can only say is ignorance.  In no way am I saying this woman is ignorant...she is a kind woman...she simply has a lot of ignorance about this topic.  I asked her how she could look at Savvy and tell me that she would not fight for her child in the same way? That she would not want a transplant for her child if it was possible.  I explained to her that NOT ONCE have I EVER prayed for a child to die to save mine...I would NEVER do such a thing...I prayed for someone to save my child...for someone to say YES they would donate their child's organs ... I can't explain to you how hurtful it is to hear someone tell me that they feel that I in some way prayed that a child would die for mine.  So many nights watching my child suffer, so many IVs, so many medications, so many prayers, so many tears, not once ... NOT ONCE did I pray for another to die.

I have heard this so many times.  I have heard so much ignorance during our journey with liver disease.  I have had my child go in and out of the hospital so many times and have been told..."you should be used to it".  I can assure you that NO PARENT gets used to having their child suffer.  It breaks my heart when Savvy has a skinned knee .. I can't explain the feeling when she is hospitalized.  I can't explain the fear I still carry in my heart that today will be my last day with her...my last moment...it was so real for so long...it is still hard to shake...I know the reality of an organ transplant..it is not a cure...but it is life...it is Savvy's life...{it is my life}.

Savvy has been out of the hospital for an entire year!!  This is probably not an anniversary that most celebrate...but we did!  You should be eternally grateful if you do not celebrate this type of anniversary...and yet at the same time eternally grateful if you do.

Please...I know that this is a bit of a rant...and lots of my rambling...I just feel a bit hurt right now...I look at this precious child and I know how lucky I am...I know that she was saved..and I know that she was the 1...the 1 in 3 that actually received a transplant...I know 2 others did not...Please consider organ donation....it is not my wish or the wish of any of the over 100,000 patients awaiting an organ transplant this very moment to have someone die...we only wish for others to make the Right Choice.  If it were not for this choice...the choice of organ donation...I would have buried my child 2 years ago.

As per Unos.org - 

Waiting list candidates as of today 12:55pm  108,625

Those are 108,625 - this is not just a number - they are 108,625 individuals with families that love them more then anything in the world...these are 108,625 lives...real people...real desperation to erase the ignorance of organ donation.

Common Myths Of Organ Donation

Despite continuing efforts at public education, misconceptions and inaccuracies about donation persist. It's a tragedy if even one person decides against donation because they don't know the truth. Following is a list of the most common myths along with the actual facts:

Myth: If emergency room doctors know you're an organ donor, they won't work as hard to save you.

Fact: If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is to save your life. Organ donation can only be considered after brain death has been declared by a physician. Many states have adopted legislation allowing individuals to legally designate their wish to be a donor should brain death occur, although in many states Organ Procurement Organizations also require consent from the donor's family.

Myth: When you're waiting for a transplant, your financial or celebrity status is as important as your medical status.

Fact: When you are on the transplant waiting list for a donor organ, what really counts is the severity of your illness, time spent waiting, blood type, and other important medical information.

Myth: Having "organ donor" noted on your driver's license or carrying a donor card is all you have to do to become a donor.

Fact: In most states, hospitals can legally proceed with organ, eye or tissue donation, without consent from next of kin, if you have a driver's license with an "organ donor" designation are have signed up with an organ donor registry. However, it's important to talk to your family about your decision to donate LIFE so they are aware of your wishes and will feel comfortable honoring them.

Myth: Only hearts, livers, and kidneys can be transplanted.

Fact: Needed organs include the heart, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, liver and intestines. Tissue that can be donated include the eyes, skin, bone, heart valves and tendons.

Myth: Your history of medical illness means your organs or tissues are unfit for donation.

Fact: At the time of death, the appropriate medical professionals will review your medical and social histories to determine whether or not you can be a donor. With recent advances in transplantation, many more people than ever before can be donors. It's best to tell your family your wishes and sign up to be an organ and tissue donor on your driver's license or an official donor document.

Myth: You are too old to be a donor.

Fact: People of all ages and medical histories should consider themselves potential donors. Your medical condition at the time of death will determine what organs and tissue can be donated.

Myth: If you agree to donate your organs, your family will be charged for the costs.

Fact: There is no cost to the donor's family or estate for organ and tissue donation. Funeral costs remain the responsibility of the family.

Myth: Organ donation disfigures the body and changes the way it looks in a casket.

Fact: Donated organs are removed surgically, in a routine operation similar to gallbladder or appendix removal. Donation does not change the appearance of the body for the funeral service.

Myth: Your religion prohibits organ donation.

Fact: All major organized religions approve of organ and tissue donation and consider it an act of charity.

Myth: There is real danger of being heavily drugged, then waking to find you have had one kidney (or both) removed for a black market transplant.

Fact: This tale has been widely circulated over the Internet. There is absolutely no evidence of such activity ever occurring in the U.S. While the tale may sound credible, it has no basis in the reality of organ transplantation. Many people who hear the myth probably dismiss it, but it is possible that some believe it and decide against organ donation out of needless fear.